U.S. patent application number 15/327124 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for flexible liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yuejun Tang.
Application Number | 20180210258 15/327124 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59113418 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180210258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tang; Yuejun |
July 26, 2018 |
FLEXIBLE LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING
THE SAME
Abstract
Disclosed are a flexible liquid crystal display device and a
method for manufacturing the same. The flexible liquid crystal
display device includes a black matrix. Polymer connecting
structures are disposed in a region covered the black matrix. The
polymer connecting structures are connected with an array substrate
and a substrate arranged opposite the array substrate. The
structure helps to solve the problems of dislocation of upper and
lower substrates and unevenness of a liquid crystal cell gap
occurred when a flexible/curved-surface/bendable/foldable liquid
crystal display device is bent.
Inventors: |
Tang; Yuejun; (Wuhan, Hubei,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. |
Wuhan, Hubei |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics
Technology Co., Ltd.
Wuhan, Hubei
CN
|
Family ID: |
59113418 |
Appl. No.: |
15/327124 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
December 30, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2016/113440 |
371 Date: |
January 18, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/133305 20130101;
G02F 1/133512 20130101; G02F 1/13394 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1339 20060101
G02F001/1339; G02F 1/1333 20060101 G02F001/1333; G02F 1/1335
20060101 G02F001/1335 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2016 |
CN |
201611229295.5 |
Claims
1. A flexible liquid crystal display device, comprising an array
substrate, and a substrate arranged opposite the array substrate,
wherein liquid crystals are encapsulated between the array
substrate and the substrate arranged opposite the array substrate,
and a black matrix is disposed on the array substrate, wherein
polymer connecting structures are disposed in a region covered by
the black matrix, the polymer connecting structures being connected
with the array substrate and the substrate arranged opposite the
array substrate and being used for fixing the array substrate and
the substrate arranged opposite the array substrate when the
flexible liquid crystal display device is bent.
2. The flexible liquid crystal display device of claim I, wherein
the polymer connecting structures are formed by polymerizing liquid
crystals doped with UV polymerizable monomers wider UV light
irradiation.
3. The flexible liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein
spacers are further disposed between the array substrate and the
substrate arranged opposite the array substrate, and the polymer
connecting structures wrap around outer surfaces of the
spacers.
4. The flexible liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein
spacers are further disposed between the array substrate and the
substrate arranged opposite the array substrate, and the polymer
connecting structures are disposed in the region covered by the
black matrix except areas where the spacers are provided.
5. The flexible liquid crystal display device of claim 4, wherein
the polymer connecting structures are column-shaped or wall-shaped
structures.
6. The flexible liquid crystal display device of claim 1. wherein
the polymer connecting structures are disposed in an entire region
covered by the black matrix, and the polymer connecting structures
wrap the spacers.
7. The flexible liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein
the polymer connecting structures are disposed in part of the
region covered the black matrix and are wall-shaped structures
parallel to one another, and long sides of the wall-shaped.
structures are disposed along a bending direction of the flexible
liquid crystal display device.
8. A method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display
device, comprising: forming a black matrix on an array substrate;
assembling the array substrate and a substrate arranged opposite
the array substrate into a liquid crystal cell, and disposing a
liquid crystal layer between the array substrate and the substrate
arranged opposite the array substrate, wherein the liquid crystal
layer is doped with UV polymerizable monomers; disposing a
photomask on an outer surface of the substrate arranged opposite
the array substrate, wherein a non-transparent region of the
photomask covers a region of the liquid crystal cell that requires
no irradiation; and irradiating the liquid crystal cell, from the
substrate arranged opposite the array substrate, with UV light to
enable the UV polymerizable monomers to undergo a polymerization
reaction to form polymer connecting structures.
9. The method for manufacturing the flexible liquid crystal display
device of claim 8, wherein the photomask includes a metal photomask
or a photomask made of a photoresist or a black photoresist in
which an UV absorbent is added. 10, The method for manufacturing
the flexible liquid crystal display device of claim 8, wherein the
UV polymerizable monomers comprise UV epoxy resin.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the priority of Chinese
patent application CN201611229295.5, entitled "Flexible Liquid
Crystal Display Device and Method for Manufacturing the Same" and
filed on Dec. 27, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of
liquid crystal displaying, and in particular, to a flexible liquid
crystal display device and a method for manufacturing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Recent years, an increasingly growing demand for non-planar
display devices such as flexible liquid crystal display devices,
bendable liquid crystal display devices, curved-surface liquid
crystal display devices and foldable liquid crystal display devices
has been seen. As stresses at various parts of these display
devices are uneven when the display devices are bent, dislocation
of upper and lower substrates and unevenness of a liquid crystal
cell gap may occur.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, when a
flexible/curved-surface/bendable/foldable liquid crystal display
device is bent, as a stress undergone by a bending part gradually
decreases towards both ends in an uneven manner, the liquid crystal
cell gap is caused to be uneven. In other words, as shown in FIG.
1, d1 and d2 located at both ends are different from d located in
the middle part. Besides, as each of the upper and lower substrates
has a certain thickness, the upper and lower substrates may be
dislocated when having a greater degree of bending. Both
dislocation and unevenness of the liquid crystal cell gap may lead
to a decline in display quality. For example, the brightness of the
bending part of the display device and both ends of such part may
be uneven, and there may be unevenness in color tones of the
display device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One of the technical problems to be solved by the present
disclosure is that when a flexible/curved-surface/bendable/foldable
liquid crystal display device is bent, as a stress undergone by a
bending part gradually decreases towards both ends in an uneven
manner, a liquid crystal cell gap is caused to be uneven.
[0006] To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the
present application firstly provides a flexible liquid crystal
display device. The display device comprises an array substrate,
and a substrate arranged opposite the array substrate. Liquid
crystals are encapsulated between the array substrate and the
substrate arranged opposite the array substrate, and a black matrix
is disposed on the array substrate. Polymer connecting structures
are disposed in a region covered by the black matrix, the polymer
connecting structures being connected with the array substrate and
the substrate arranged opposite the array substrate and being used
for fixing the array substrate and the substrate arranged opposite
the array substrate when the flexible liquid crystal display device
is bent.
[0007] Preferably, the polymer connecting structures are formed by
polymerizing liquid crystals doped with UV polymerizable monomers
under UV light irradiation.
[0008] Preferably, spacers are further disposed between the array
substrate and the substrate arranged opposite the array substrate,
and the polymer connecting structures wrap around outer surfaces of
the spacers.
[0009] Preferably, spacers are further disposed between the array
substrate and the substrate arranged opposite the array substrate,
and the polymer connecting structures are disposed in the region
covered by the black matrix except areas where the spacers are
provided.
[0010] Preferably, the polymer connecting structures are
column-shaped or wall-shaped structures.
[0011] Preferably, the polymer connecting structures are disposed
in an entire region covered by the black matrix, and the polymer
connecting structures wrap the spacers.
[0012] Preferably, the polymer connecting structures are disposed
in part of the region covered the black matrix and are wall-shaped
structures parallel to one another, and long sides of the
wall-shaped structures are disposed along a bending direction of
the flexible liquid crystal display device.
[0013] The embodiment of the present application also provides a
method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display device.
The method comprises steps of forming a black matrix on an array
substrate; assembling the array substrate and a substrate arranged
opposite the array substrate into a liquid crystal cell, and
disposing a liquid crystal layer between the array substrate and
the substrate arranged opposite the array substrate, the liquid
crystal layer being doped with UV polymerizable monomers; disposing
a photomask on an outer surface of the substrate arranged opposite
the array substrate, a non-transparent region of the photomask
covering a region of the liquid crystal cell that requires no
irradiation; and irradiating the liquid crystal cell, from the
substrate arranged opposite the array substrate, with UV light to
enable the UV polymerizable monomers to undergo a polymerization
reaction to form polymer connecting structures.
[0014] Preferably, the photomask includes a metal photomask or a
photomask made of a photoresist or a black photoresist in which an
UV absorbent is added.
[0015] Preferably, the UV polymerizable monomers comprise UV epoxy
resin.
[0016] Compared with the prior art, one or more embodiments in the
above solution may have the following advantages or beneficial
effects.
[0017] As either an upper or lower substrate of the
flexible/curved-surface/bendable/foldable liquid crystal display
device employs a BOA substrate, and polymer connecting structures
are disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate,
the problems of dislocation of the upper and lower substrates and
unevenness of the liquid crystal cell gap when the
flexible/curved-surface/bendable/foldable liquid crystal display
device is bent are solved. Moreover, as the polymer connecting
structures are disposed in the region of the liquid crystal display
device that is covered by the black matrix, the polymer connecting
structures are prevented from affecting the display quality of the
liquid crystal display device.
[0018] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present
disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description,
and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
the observational study on the following or may be learnt from the
practice of the present disclosure. The objectives and other
advantages of the present disclosure will be achieved and obtained
through the structure specifically pointed out in the description,
the claims and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The drawings are provided for further understanding of the
technical solution of the present application or the prior art, and
constitute one part of the description. Wherein, the drawings
expressing the embodiments of the present application are used to
explain the technical solution of the present application in
conjunction with the embodiments of the present application, but
they do not constitute limitations to the technical solution of the
present application.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a
flexible/curved-surface/bendable/foldable liquid crystal display
device in a bending state in the prior art;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of
a flexible liquid crystal display device according to a first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the distribution
of polymer connecting structures according to the first embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams illustrating the
distribution of polymer connecting structures according to a second
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating the
distribution of polymer connecting structures according to a third
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the distribution
of polymer connecting structures according to a fourth embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow process of
a method for manufacturing a flexible liquid crystal display device
according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIGS. 9a-9c are schematic diagrams illustrating manners of
arrangement of upper/lower substrates of the flexible liquid
crystal display device according to the fifth embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the film layer
structure/order of a BOA substrate and a substrate according to the
fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIGS. 11a and 11b are schematic diagrams illustrating the
formation of polymer connecting structures by adopting a photomask
and UV light according to the fifth embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0030] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a morphological
structure of a panel of an application terminal of the flexible
liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The implementations of the present disclosure will be
described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and the embodiments, thereby enabling the realization
process concerning how the present disclosure applies technical
means to solve technical problems and achieves corresponding
technical effects to be fully understood and implemented. The
embodiments of the present application and various features in the
embodiments may be combined with one another without any conflict,
and each of the technical solutions formed by them falls within the
scope of protection of the present disclosure.
[0032] For the problems existing in the prior art, the present
disclosure provides a liquid crystal display device with polymer
connecting structures, which will be illustrated below in
conjunction with specific embodiments.
First Embodiment
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of
a flexible liquid crystal display device according to a first
embodiment of the present disclosure, and what illustrated by the
schematic diagram is a structure perpendicular to a cross section
of a liquid crystal display screen.
[0034] As may be seen from the figure, the flexible liquid crystal
display device in the embodiment of the present disclosure
comprises an array substrate 1 and a substrate 2 that is arranged
opposite the array substrate 1. Liquid crystals 3 are encapsulated
between the array substrate 1 and the substrate 2. The array
substrate 1 is a BOA (BM on Array) substrate.
[0035] A black matrix is a light-blocking structure on a display
panel and may block light in regions located among pixel units to
increase the contrast ratio of the liquid crystal display device,
avoid color mixture among the pixel units and reduce external light
reflection. The black matrix is generally disposed on a substrate
where a color filter is located, namely on a substrate arranged
opposite the array substrate. In the embodiment of the present
disclosure, the BOA substrate is employed as the array substrate in
order to form polymer connecting structures and enable the formed
polymer connecting structures to be only located in regions covered
by the black matrix to exert no influences on performance
parameters of pixel units such as the aperture ratio.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, spacers 4 are disposed between the array
substrate 1 and the substrate 2. The spacers 4 play a role in
supporting a liquid crystal cell and are used for increasing the
compressive strength of the liquid crystal display device. In the
present embodiment, outer surfaces of the spacers 4 are wrapped by
polymer connecting structures 5, and the polymer connecting
structures 5 are connected with the array substrate 1 and the
substrate 2.
[0037] A top view of the flexible liquid crystal display device of
the embodiment in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. As may be seen from
the figure, the outer surface of each of the spacers 4 is wrapped
by a polymer film layer in places where the spacers 4 are
disposed.
[0038] Generally, the polymer connecting structures 5 in the
present embodiment are substantially formed with shapes according
to shapes of the spacers 4 and may be prismatic or cylindrical,
which are not limited by the present embodiment.
[0039] As the polymer connecting structures 5 are connected with
the array substrate 1 and the substrate 2, the polymer connecting
structures 5 have functions of fixing upper/lower substrates and
maintaining the evenness of the liquid crystal cell gap when the
liquid crystal display device is bent.
[0040] As the polymer connecting structures 5 are disposed in
regions in the liquid crystal display device that are covered by
the black matrix, not in central opening regions of pixels of the
liquid crystal display device, the polymer connecting structures 5
may be prevented from affecting the display quality of the display
device.
[0041] Meanwhile, as the spacers 4 are wrapped by the polymer
connecting structures 5 in the present embodiment, the polymer
connecting structures 5 may play a role in strengthening and
supporting the spacers 4.
Second Embodiment
[0042] The present embodiment is provided for positions of polymer
connecting structures. Specifically, the polymer connecting
structures 5 are disposed in regions covered by a black matrix
except areas where spacers 4 are provided.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the polymer connecting
structures 5 are disposed in rows and/or columns where the spacers
4 are located, but in the regions covered by the black matrix
except the areas where the spacers 4 are located. The polymer
connecting structures 5 are connected with an array substrate 1 and
a substrate 2 that is arranged opposite the array substrate 1.
[0044] Shapes of the polymer connecting structures 5 are no longer
limited by structures of the spacers 4; therefore, the polymer
connecting structures may be column-shaped structures (FIG. 4a) or
wall-shaped structures (FIG. 4b). The column-shaped structures are
similar to the spacers 4 in terms of appearance and may be
prismatic or cylindrical. The wall-shaped structures are cuboid and
have larger areas for connecting and fixing as comparison with the
column-shaped structures.
[0045] As the polymer connecting structures 5 are connected with
the array substrate 1 and the substrate 2, the polymer connecting
structures 5 have functions of fixing upper/lower substrates and
preventing the upper/lower substrates from being dislocated when
the liquid crystal display device is bent, which indirectly
prevents the spacers 4 located on steps or in grooves from being
moved and dislocated, thus avoiding the case that a liquid crystal
cell is uneven.
[0046] As the polymer connecting structures 5 are disposed in the
regions in the liquid.
[0047] crystal display device that are covered by the black matrix,
not in central opening regions of pixels of the liquid crystal
display device, the polymer connecting structures 5 may be
prevented from affecting the display quality of the display
device.
Third Embodiment
[0048] The present embodiment is provided for positions of polymer
connecting structures. Specifically, the polymer connecting
structures 5 are disposed in an entire region that is covered by a
black matrix.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the polymer connecting structures 5
cover entire rows and entire columns where spacers 4 are located,
and the polymer connecting structures 5 in fact completely overlap
a framework of the black matrix and are connected with an array
substrate 1 and a substrate 2 that is arranged opposite the array
substrate 1. It is readily appreciated that the polymer connecting
structures 5 are cuboid wall-shaped structures.
[0050] As may be seen from FIG. 5, the spacers 4 are wrapped inside
the polymer connecting structures 5.
[0051] In the present embodiment, as the polymer connecting
structures 5 are connected with the array substrate I and the
substrate 2, the polymer connecting structures 5 have functions of
fixing upper/lower substrates and preventing the upper/lower
substrates from being dislocated when the liquid crystal display
device is bent, which indirectly prevents the spacers 4 located on
steps or in grooves from being moved and dislocated, thus avoiding
the case that a liquid crystal cell is uneven.
[0052] Furthermore, as the polymer connecting structures 5 are
disposed in regions in the liquid crystal display device that are
covered by the black matrix, not in central opening regions of
pixels of the liquid crystal display device, the polymer connecting
structures 5 may be prevented from affecting the display quality of
the display device.
[0053] In practical application, the folding of a
flexible/curved-surface/bendable/foldable liquid crystal display
device only exists in parts of regions of the liquid crystal
display device. For example, for a curved-surface liquid crystal
display device, only a middle part of a display screen has a
greater degree of bending. Consequently, the polymer connecting
structures 5 may not be disposed across an entire display screen of
the flexible liquid crystal display device, but may only be
disposed in foldable regions of the flexible liquid crystal display
device.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the polymer connecting structures 5 are
disposed in part of the region covered by the black matrix. As the
polymer connecting structures 5 are reduced in number, the
production process is simplified, and the yield is increased.
Fourth Embodiment
[0055] The present embodiment is provided for positions of polymer
connecting structures. Specifically, the polymer connecting
structures 5 are disposed in part of a region covered by a black
matrix, and specific positions of the polymer connecting structures
are determined by a bending direction of a flexible liquid crystal
display device.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the polymer connecting structures 5 are
wall-shaped structures parallel to one another, and the polymer
connecting structures 5 are connected with an array substrate 1 and
a substrate 2 that is arranged opposite the array substrate 1. The
wall-shaped structures are in the shape of a cuboid. A long side of
the cuboid is consistent with the bending direction of the flexible
liquid crystal display device.
[0057] It is readily appreciated that when the flexible liquid
crystal display device is bent along the direction shown in the
figure, the polymer connecting structures 5 may play roles in
fixing upper/lower substrates and maintaining evenness of a liquid
crystal cell gap because the polymer connecting structures have a
framework extending along the direction and are connected with the
array substrate 1 and the substrate 2.
[0058] Spacers 4 disposed along the bending direction of the
flexible liquid crystal display device are wrapped by the polymer
connecting structures 5, and therefore, the polymer connecting
structures 5 may play a role in strengthening and supporting the
spacers 4 disposed along the bending direction of the flexible
liquid crystal display device.
[0059] In addition, as the polymer connecting structures 5 are
disposed in the region in the liquid crystal display device that is
covered by the black matrix, not in the central opening regions of
pixels of the liquid crystal display device, the polymer connecting
structures 5 may be prevented from affecting the display quality of
the display device.
Fifth Embodiment
[0060] The present embodiment provides a method for manufacturing
the polymer connecting structures 5 in various embodiments
mentioned above. As shown in FIG. 8, the method comprises the
following steps:
[0061] step S810, forming a black matrix on an array substrate;
[0062] step S820, assembling the array substrate and a substrate
arranged opposite the array substrate into a liquid crystal cell,
and disposing a liquid crystal layer between the array substrate
and the substrate, the liquid crystal layer being doped with UV
polymerizable monomers;
[0063] step S830, disposing a photomask on an outer surface of the
substrate, a non-transparent region of the photomask covering a
region of the liquid crystal cell that requires no irradiation;
and
[0064] step S840, irradiating the liquid crystal cell from the
substrate with UV light to cause the UV polymerizable monomers to
undergo a polymerization reaction to form polymer connecting
structures.
[0065] Specifically, in step S810, either upper or lower substrate
of the flexible liquid crystal display device in the embodiment of
the present disclosure is a BOA substrate as shown in FIGS. 9a-9c.
Film layer structures/orders of the BOA substrate and the substrate
arranged opposite the BOA substrate in FIGS. 9a-9c are seen in FIG.
10. The film layer structure/order of the BOA substrate may be
selected from one of those shown in the figure and may also be
other structures that are not shown, and the BOA substrates may be
of various film layers that are illustrated, but are not limited
thereto when one of the structures shown in the figure is
selected.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, spacers 4 may be located on the BOA
substrate (as shown in BOA substrates 2 and 3 in the figure) and
may also be located on the substrates arranged opposite the BOA
substrate (as shown in BOA substrates 1, 4 and 5 in the figure).
The manufacturing of an RGB color resisting layer may be preceded
by that of the black matrix BM (as shown in BOA substrates 2 and 5
in the figure), or the manufacturing of the BM layer may be
preceded by that of the RGB color resisting layer (as shown in BOA
substrates 1, 3 and 4 in the figure). The BM layer and the RGB
color resisting layer may be adjacent (as shown in BOA substrates 1
and 2 in the figure), or may not be adjacent (as shown in BOA
substrates 3, 4 and 5 in the figure) When the upper substrate is a
BOA substrate, the BOA substrate 5 in the figure may be selected,
and a high-temperature-resistant ferrous metal is taken as a BM
material. In the BOA substrate 3 in the figure, the BM layer and
spacers PS may be adjacent or located at a same layer and be
manufactured by using a same material and using a gray tone
photomask process.
[0067] In FIG. 10, the BOA substrate 1 is manufactured by
sequentially forming a first metal layer M1, a gate insulation
layer GI, a semiconductor layer a-Si, a second metal layer M2, a
first protective layer PV1, color resisting layer (an RGB layer,
and RGB are disposed on a same layer), a black matrix BM, a second
protective layer PV2, a common electrode layer Common ITO, a third
protective layer PV3 and a pixel electrode layer Pixel ITO. Spacers
PS are formed on the substrate arranged opposite the BOA
substrate.
[0068] The BOA substrate 2 is manufactured by sequentially forming
a first metal layer M1, a gate insulation layer GI, a semiconductor
layer a-Si, a second metal layer M2, a first protective layer PV1,
a color resisting layer (an RGB layer, and RGB are disposed on a
same layer), a second protective layer PV2, a common electrode
layer Common ITO, a third protective layer PV3, a pixel electrode
layer Pixel ITO and spacers PS.
[0069] The BOA substrate 3 is manufactured by sequentially forming
a first metal layer M1, a gate insulation layer GI, a semiconductor
layer a-Si, a second metal layer M2, a first protective layer PV1,
a color resisting layer (an RGB layer, and RGB are disposed on a
same layer), a second protective layer PV2, a common electrode
layer Common ITO, a third protective layer PV3 and a pixel
electrode layer Pixel ITO, and simultaneously forming a black
matrix BM and spacers PS.
[0070] The BOA substrate 4 is manufactured by sequentially forming
a first metal layer M1, a gate insulation layer GI, a semiconductor
layer a-Si, a second metal layer M2, a first protective layer PV1,
color resisting layer (an RGB layer, and RGB are disposed on a same
layer), a second protective layer PV2, a common electrode layer
Common ITO, a third protective layer PV3, a pixel electrode layer
Pixel ITO and a black matrix BM, Spacers PS are formed on the
substrate arranged opposite the BOA substrate.
[0071] The BOA substrate 5 is manufactured by sequentially forming
a black matrix BM, a first metal layer M1, a gate insulation layer
GI, a semiconductor layer a-Si, a second metal layer M2, a first
protective layer PV1, a color resisting layer (an RGB layer, and
RGB are disposed on a same layer), a second protective layer PV2, a
common electrode layer Common ITO, a third protective layer PV3 and
a pixel electrode layer Pixel ITO. Spacers PS are formed on the
substrate arranged opposite the BOA substrate.
[0072] FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of a device using a-Si as a
TFT semiconductor active layer. The figure illustrates the
manufacturing order of layers, but the structure is not limited
only to the structure illustrated in FIG. 10. The R/G/B color
resisting layer is also illustrated in the figure, but it does not
mean that a G color resist is located on an R color resist or a B
color resist is located on the G color resist.
[0073] As can be seen from FIGS. 9a-9c and 10, the BOA substrate in
FIG. 9a serves as the lower substrate, the spacers PS are located
on the upper substrate, and the BOA substrates 1 and 4 in FIG. 10
may be employed; the BOA substrate in FIG. 9b serves as the lower
substrate, the spacers PS are located on the lower substrate, and
the BOA substrates 2 and 3 in FIG. 10 may be employed; and the BOA
substrate in FIG. 9c serves as the upper substrate, the spacers PS
are located on the lower substrate, and the BOA substrate 5 in FIG.
10 may be employed.
[0074] It should be noted that the BOA substrate in FIG. 10 is an
FFS mode substrate, but in the embodiment of the present disclosure
the display device may also be a VA-mode or TN-mode substrate and
other-mode liquid crystal display device. FIG. 10 illustrates
relative position relationship among the BM/the color resisting
layer/the spacers PS and relative position relationship between the
BM/the color resisting layer/the spacers PS and the first metal
layer M1/the pixel electrode layer, but the present disclosure is
not limited to the numbers of layers and the structures illustrate
in the figure. For example, a second protective layer PV2 is not
formed in the BOA substrate 2. For example, a third metal layer M3
serving as touch functional wiring is arranged below the second
protective layer PV2 in the BOA substrate 1. When a-Si is used as a
semiconductor layer, the above structures including the BM/the
color resisting layer/the first metal layer M1/the pixel electrode
layer or the spacers PS and the like in the BOA substrate conform
to the relative position relationship and may also be other TFT
structures.
[0075] In addition, a base substrate of the BOA substrate in the
present embodiment can be made of, but is not limited to glass,
polyimide (PI), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polyester resin
(PET), polyether sulfone (PES), etc. A thin film transistor (ITT)
device on the BOA substrate in the present embodiment is not
limited to an a-Si TFT device and may also be other TFT devices
such as an LTPS TFT device or an IGZO TFT device. Different TFT
structures may be employed in addition to top gate type or bottom
gate type TFTs when the LIPS TFT device or the IGZO TFT device is
employed. Structures including the BM/the color resisting layer/the
first metal layer M1/the pixel electrode layer or the spacers PS
may conform to, but is not limited to the relative position
relationship in FIG. 10.
[0076] In step S820, the liquid crystal layer is arranged between
the upper substrate and the lower substrate of the liquid crystal
cell, and the liquid crystal is doped with the UV polymerizable
monomers. The monomer material, which is doped into the liquid
crystals and which undergoes polymerization reaction under UV light
irradiation to form a polymer, may be LTV epoxy resin, for example,
products such as UV epoxy resin NOA-60 manufactured by the Norland
company and a material manufactured by other companies and which
can be polymerized under UV light irradiation. The present
embodiment is not limited in this regard.
[0077] In step S830, the region, requiring no irradiation, of the
liquid crystal cell, namely a region where the polymer connecting
structures are not needed to be produced, may be covered by the
metal photomask, which is shown in FIG. 11a. Specifically,
non-transparent regions of the photomask correspond to pixel
opening regions, and transparent regions of the photomask
correspond to an upside or a downside of the BM.
[0078] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a photomask
made of a photoresist or a black photoresist in which an
ultraviolet (UV) absorbent is added may be employed and disposed on
an outer surface of the upper substrate, which is shown in FIG.
11b.
[0079] In step S840, ultraviolet light (UV light) is used to shine,
from the substrate arranged opposite the array substrate and
through openings of the photomask, on preset positions, by means of
which polymerizable monomers mixed into the liquid crystal undergo
polymerization reaction on the preset positions to form the polymer
connecting structures which are then adhered to the upper and lower
substrates.
[0080] As the liquid crystals are doped with the UV photosensitive
polymerizable monomers, column-shaped or wall-shaped polymer
connecting structures are formed by polymerization after the
irradiation of the UV light.
[0081] In the present embodiment, either the upper or lower
substrate employs the BOA substrate, and the liquid crystals doped
with the UV polymerizable monomers is irradiated from the substrate
arranged opposite the BOA substrate by using the UV light to ensure
that the monomers are polymerized to form the polymer connecting
structures. The polymer connecting structures are formed on or
under the black matrix BM of the BOA substrate, instead of being
located in the central opening regions of pixels of the liquid
crystal display device, so that the polymer connecting structures
are prevented from affecting the display quality in the center of
the pixels.
[0082] In practical application, the flexible display device can be
bent according to practical demands. As shown in FIG. 12, the BOA
substrate can be located above, and the BOA substrate comprising a
land region can be bent to the rear of a backlight system, so that
a surface area of an application terminal is saved.
[0083] Finally, it should be noted that the liquid crystal display
device in the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited
only to a transmissive display device, but may be a reflective
display device.
[0084] Although the implementation disclosed by the present
disclosure is as above, the content is only an implementation
employed for facilitating the understanding of the present
disclosure, but is not used for limiting the present disclosure.
Any modifications or changes in terms of implementation forms and
details may be made by anyone of those skilled in the art of the
present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present disclosure, however, the patent scope of the present
disclosure should still be subject to the scope defined in the
claims.
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